Ceres Aqua Gauge: New Tool for Companies, Investors to Manage Risks of Worldwide Water Supply Pressures

Against a backdrop of increasing business exposure to global water supply threats, Ceres today released a new tool for evaluating those risks – and opportunities – that both investors and companies can use as a roadmap to enhanced water stewardship.

The Ceres Aqua Gauge is designed to enable investors and companies to better understand water risks and the practices used to manage them.

Against a backdrop of increasing business exposure to global water supply threats, Ceres today released a new tool for evaluating those risks – and opportunities – that both investors and companies can use as a roadmap to enhanced water stewardship.

“Water risks are urgent today and, given population and climate trends, can only grow increasingly more so,” said Ceres president Mindy Lubber, in announcing The Ceres Aqua Gauge: A Framework for 21st Century Water Risk Management. “Some companies are taking action to recognize and act on these risks, but many are not. The Aqua Gauge will help companies and investors take stronger, more comprehensive steps to manage this complex challenge.”

“Competing freshwater demands and supply limits are creating material risks to companies’ bottom lines and investment portfolios,” said Björn Stigson, president of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, which worked closely with Ceres on the report. “Yet, communication between institutional investors and companies on water management has always been limited. Addressing this communication gap is what triggered the WBCSD to get involved in Ceres Aqua Gauge.”

The report comes as water-related risks are intensifying around the world. In just the past year, unprecedented droughts have hit water-intensive companies and supply chains in Russia, China and across the southern tier of the United States. Extreme floods have had severe economic impacts in Australia, Pakistan and the Midwestern U.S. Numerous industries – apparel, beverage, food, agriculture and electric power – felt the financial ripples from these events, including:

Oil producer Toreador saw its stock price plunge 20 percent recently after the French government banned the practice of shale-gas fracturing, primarily due to concerns over the process’s impact on water quality.

Kraft, Sara Lee and Nestle all announcing they will be raising food prices to offset higher commodity costs prompted by droughts, flooding and other factors.

Even as companies accelerate water efficiency and improved water resource management, water pressures are likely to worsen. According to estimates by McKinsey & Company, the world may face a 40 percent global shortfall between forecast water demand and available supplies by 2030.

Investors are keenly aware of this growing threat. More than 350 institutional investors backed a water survey sent this year to 408 of the world’s largest companies. More U.S. investors are filing shareholder resolutions asking for water-related disclosure from US companies, and prominent European institutional investors, including Norges Bank and Dutch asset manager Robeco, are integrating water considerations across their investment portfolios.

Yet, despite improved corporate water disclosure, it remains challenging for investors to understand how well companies are managing their water risks and capitalizing on opportunities.

The Aqua GaugeTM, developed with close input from 50 investors, companies and public interest groups, allows investors to score a company’s water management strategies against industry peers and detailed definitions of leading practice.

“The report gives institutional investors a powerful new tool to inform company dialogues by prioritizing key areas of corporate water management,” said Lara Yacob, senior engagement specialist of responsible investing at Robeco, a major asset manager investment firm based in the Netherlands. "We take a long term view of investing in companies that manage their risks in order to protect shareholder value, and companies are increasingly facing risks around water management, whether from water scarcity, higher operation costs or higher raw material costs because of water price increases."

The report provides a step-by-step framework to help companies develop robust water strategies. The four key areas of activity are:

Measurement: Measuring water use in direct operations and supply chains and understanding water risk in those areas.

Governance and Management: How involved is the board and senior management in addressing water issues? How is water factored into capital investments and strategic decisions?

Stakeholder Engagement: How is the company engaging on water with outside stakeholders such as local communities? Is the engagement focused on effective stewardship or trying to defend unsustainable practices?

Transparency and Disclosure: Is the company clear and transparent on water-related activities and strategies? Is it disclosing information in ways that are meaningful and useful to investors?

Today’s report makes clear that some companies are already demonstrating leading practices, from Nestlé with its customized water risk mapping tool to Rio Tinto’s work to put a financial value on water used in its mining operations.

“These companies are positioning themselves for greater operational certainty, improved resource and market access and overall competitive advantage by moving ahead more aggressively on water management,” said Brooke Barton, report co-author who leads Ceres water program.

“This report reflects the most advanced thinking available on corporate water management – it’s a powerful new tool that can help business and investors navigate the complex world of water issues towards sustainable water use,” said Greg Koch, head of water stewardship at The Coca-Cola Company, a water-intensive company with 900 bottling plants in every corner of the world.

The report is a collaboration between Ceres and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the investor research organization IRRC Institute, and UK-based consultancy Irbaris.

“It’s old news that water presents risk and opportunity,” said Jon Lukomnik, executive director of the IRRC Institute. “What is new and useful is that for the first time investors can measure how corporations are responding. The IRRC Institute funded this project because it provides a market-based solution to a market and environmental issue.”

About the Report Partners

Ceres is an advocate for sustainability leadership. Ceres mobilizes a powerful coalition of investors, companies and public interest groups to accelerate and expand the adoption of sustainable business practices and solutions to build a healthy global economy. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a network of 100 institutional investors with collective assets totaling more than $10 trillion. For more information, visit www.ceres.org and www.incr.com.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a CEO-led, global association of some 200 companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development. www.wbcsd.org

Irbaris is a specialist consulting firm focused on helping clients understand and respond to the strategic impacts of environmental sustainability. Irbaris works internationally with major companies, investors and government agencies. www.irbaris.com

The IRRC Institute is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in New York, NY that provides thought leadership at the intersection of corporate responsibility and the informational needs of investors. www.irrcinstitute.org